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mounted at once and came forward on foot to peer into her face. |
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"Sister, what do you here?" Llewelyn asked. |
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Llewelyn's eyes flashed over the size of her following, took in the hanging head of her sweaty mare; his ears caught the husky fatigue of her voice. "Who follows you? How far behind? Where is Ian?" |
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She shook her head. "I am not threatened. Ian?" Her voice trembled. "It is upon his account and for your son that I seek aid." |
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"In Wales? Ian has come to grief in Wales?" There was incredulity in the question. Llewelyn was a power in Wales. If his clan brother could be taken in battle and he not hear of it, his defenses were worthless. |
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"Oh, no. It is not his Welsh who have betrayed him, but my English castellan. I" |
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"So? Then do not tell me now. Come into Llanrwst, which is not far. Let your men and horses rest awhile. You can do no more tonight." |
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Sir Guy caught his breath, expecting a sharp reply that might breed trouble from Lady Alinor, but she merely allowed Llewelyn to kiss her hand and murmured, "Yes, my lord," most submissively. I am a fool, Sir Guy thought. She knows what she does. And, after they reached the castle, it was quite evident that that was no momentary weakness or accidental behavior. Lady Alinor knew exactly the right path to take to arrive at the end she desired. Sir Guy was coming to understand her very well. He saw the twitch of the fingers, the spread of the nostrils that betokened impatience, but no sign of it appeared in Alinor's voice or manner. She was, suddenly, a frail and distracted woman pleading for help. |
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Yet not a moment was wasted. When Llewelyn suggested she go to the women's quarters to wash and rest and eat, she sobbed softly that she could not rest or eat until her heart was unburdened. And so well and so |
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